defalcate

[ dih-fal-keyt, -fawl- ]

verb (used without object)

, Law.

, de·fal·cat·ed, de·fal·cat·ing.

1. to be guilty of defalcation.

defalcate

/ ˈdiːfælˌkeɪt /

verb

1. intr law to misuse or misappropriate property or funds entrusted to one

Derived Forms

• ˈdefalˌcator, noun
• ˌdefalˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• de·falca·tor noun
• unde·falcat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defalcate¹

1530–40; < Medieval Latin dēfalcātus (past participle of dēfalcāre to cut off), equivalent to dē- de- + falcātus; falcate

Word History and Origins

Origin of defalcate¹

C15: from Medieval Latin dēfalcāre to cut off, from Latin de- + falx sickle

Example Sentences

No one can defalcate in this particular; no one can Texas-ize and be quit of his transgressions and his onward travel.

From Project Gutenberg

An embezzler can not defalcate in Nova Scotia, lightly skip into Manitoba and put both provinces to expense and technical trouble apprehending him.

From Project Gutenberg

Carlyle to Emerson Chelsea, London, 8 December, 1839 My Dear Emerson,—What a time since we have written to one another! was it you that defalcated?

From Project Gutenberg

The plasterers were hindered; the painters misunderstood orders; the paperers have defalcated, and the universe generally comes to a pause.

From Project Gutenberg

Robespierre, on the extreme Left, with perhaps Petion and lean old Goupil, for the very Triumvirate has defalcated, are shrieking hoarse; drowned in Constitutional clamour.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bereave
• break into
• cheat
• defraud
• divest
• hijack
• loot
• lose
• mug
• plunder
• raid
• ransack
• strip